Update: USMC identifies pilot killed in F/A-18C crash

Published Oct. 23, 2015

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- A 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing pilot died when his F/A-18C Hornet crashed in the vicinity of Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, at approximately 10:30 a.m. Oct. 21.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Taj Sareen, a pilot in Marine Attack Fighter Squadron 232, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., died as a result of the crash. Sareen was deployed as part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Crisis Response - Central Command 15.2 and was returning with his squadron after their six-month deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and fellow Marines of Maj. Sareen, and we are currently providing support to those affected by this tragic incident," said Maj. Gen. Michael A. Rocco, 3rd MAW commanding general.

Sareen, 34, a native of Hillsborough, Calif., commissioned into the USMC on Feb. 13, 2005. He previously deployed with VMFA-232 to Afghanistan in 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and was an instructor at Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101.

His personal awards include two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and one Air Medal - Strike/Flight "5."

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

For additional information, please contact the MCAS Miramar Public Affairs Office at mimamarmedia@usmc.mil or (858) 577-6000 or follow their Twitter feed @MCASMiramarCA.